Iowa Bicycle Coalition Economic Impact Study: $1.4 Billion Spent Yearly in Iowa

         The Iowa Bicycle Coalition released a study in February 2025 that analyzed the economic impact of cycling in Iowa. It concluded that cycling not only brings expected health gains, an appreciation of the natural world, and fun, but also a $1.4 billion economic boost to Iowa! The full study, a 70-page document, can be found here. A 2012 Iowa Bicycle Colation study indicated that cyclists contributed $365 million to the Iowa economy, proudly noting that cycling contributed roughly $1 million per day over the course of the year to Iowa’s economy. In light of the 2024 figure of $1.4 billion, cyclists are spending close to $3.8 million dollars per day now! Remember the Field of Dreams movie mantra, “If you build it, they will come.” This information certainly can be used to advocate for trail funding, safety, planning, and resources.

            Here is the Executive Summary of the 70-page document:
       Iowa is home to over 2,000 miles of multi-use trails. Each year, an estimated 900,000 Iowans ride their bicycles, 350,000 of whom ride at least twice a month. Understanding the importance of this industry on Iowa’s economy and health is important for policymakers responsible for funding the construction and maintenance of bicycling infrastructure in Iowa.
        We estimate Iowa’s cycling and trail use are responsible for $1.4 billion to gross state product per year. If spending associated with cycling and trail use were its own industry, it would represent a top 50 industry in the state of Iowa. The bulk of this output accrues to the retail trade and food service industries.
        Bicyclists and trail users in Iowa also support jobs thanks to their spending. We estimate that over 21,000 jobs are supported by the spending of Iowa’s recreational riders, largely in the retail trade industry.
        The jobs supported by the bicycle industry provide earnings for Iowans and increased tax revenue for the state. We estimate that Iowa’s riders generate $690 million in wages for workers across the state, which lead to $23 million per year in state income taxes and $11
million per year in state sales taxes.
       Bicycle clubs and organizations in Iowa are a driver of volunteerism and social capital development in the state. We estimate volunteers contributed a quarter of a million volunteer hours a year, which have a monetized value of about $7.1 million.
        Cycling and trail use also result in better health outcomes for Iowans. We estimate that the current level of cycling in Iowa results in nearly 9,000 fewer people being overweight or obese, as well as 1,200 fewer cases of high blood pressure, 250 fewer strokes, 170 fewer cases of breast cancer, and 100 fewer cases of colorectal cancer every year. Exercise has also been linked to improved mental health, and we estimate that cycling results in 5,400 fewer Iowans experiencing poor mental health every year.
       Additionally, people who commute to work via bicycle help reduce carbon emissions in Iowa by avoiding driving to work. These commuters are responsible for preventing between 1,000 and 1,500 tons of carbon emissions each year.                             Source: Iowa Bicycle Coalition

       Look at these statistics. There are some astonishing revelations here on how vital cycling is to Iowa. These statistics highlight that cycling affects many facets of Iowa’s economy, job market, tourism, health and mental well-being, environment, and recreational fun in more ways than we know.